http://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromiseAre Connecticut's systems of care working to improve the mental health of our residents? Let's find out by hearing about what's happening on the front lines.enBlogTalkRadio.com. All Rights Reserved.Sat, 15 Jun 2019 06:45:00 GMTTue, 20 Nov 2012 17:00:00 GMTYouthBlogTalkRadio Feed v2.0https://dasg7xwmldix6.cloudfront.net/hostpics/8e84ff52-4d86-4bfe-92e0-6d27f8dc53f7_keep-the-promise-ribbon-large.jpghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromiseAre Connecticut's systems of care working to improve the mental health of our residents? Let's find out by hearing about what's happening on the front lines.feeds@blogtalkradio.comBlogTalkRadio.comyouth,mental health,connecticut,advocacy,special education,psychiatry,school,systems of care,access,achievement gapKeep the Promise RadionoAre Connecticut's systems of care working to improve the mental health of our residents? Let's find out by hearing about what's happening on the front lines.episodichttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/11/20/antibullying-in-action-guilford-highs-unity-weekYouthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/11/20/antibullying-in-action-guilford-highs-unity-week/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/11/20/antibullying-in-action-guilford-highs-unity-weekTue, 20 Nov 2012 17:00:00 GMTAntibullying in Action: Guilford High's Unity Week This special interview features student leaders Ben Moore and Maya Morduch-Taubman from Guilford High School's Unity Team.  The faculty leader of the Unity Team is school psychologist, Lillian Parmelee. This group helped lead Unity Week at Guilford High, a week-long campaign to fight bullying and cyberbullying.  We discuss the week, its impact, and future plans. 00:28:00Keep the Promise Radionomental health,school,Guilford,Connecticut,antibullyingThis special interview features student leaders Ben Moore and Maya Morduch-Taubman from Guilford High School's Unity Team.  The faculty leader of the Unity Teahttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/10/24/housing-and-mental-health-in-connecticutHealthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/10/24/housing-and-mental-health-in-connecticut/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/10/24/housing-and-mental-health-in-connecticutWed, 24 Oct 2012 12:30:00 GMTSupportive Housing in Connecticut - A Primer on the Basics The relationship between mental illness and housing isn't always clear.  This interview sheds light on that relationship and provides critical information about the issue to help understand why supportive housing is such a cost-effective intervention. We interview Jan van Tassel and Thomas Burr.  Jan is a Co-Chair of the Keep the Promise Coalition and the Executive Director of the CT Legal Rights Project.  Tom is a former board member of NAMI of CT and a former member of the Keep the Promise Coalition's Steering Committee.  He has a family member who benefitted from supportive housing programs. 00:32:00Keep the Promise Radionohousing,mental health,advocacy,homelessness,psychiatryThe relationship between mental illness and housing isn't always clear.  This interview sheds light on that relationship and provides critical information abouhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/09/12/paul-is-keeping-the-promise-fighting-ignorance-and-stigmaHealthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/09/12/paul-is-keeping-the-promise-fighting-ignorance-and-stigma/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/09/12/paul-is-keeping-the-promise-fighting-ignorance-and-stigmaWed, 12 Sep 2012 12:30:00 GMTPaul is Keeping the Promise: Fighting Ignorance and Stigma Before becoming a passionate advocate for people with mental illness, Paul Gionfriddo was the mayor of Middletown, CT, and a state legislator in Connecticut.  Now, he is a powerful voice for patients and families who have been affected by mental illness.  He launched "Our Health Policy Matters", widely read health policy blog, in 2010 to bridge the gap between policy and information.  Most recently, he published an article in "Health Affairs", arguably the most influential health policy journal in the U.S. In this revealing article, he documents his personal and professional experience with issues so central to mental illness.  Mr. Gionfriddo has a son who has been battling schizophrenia since childhood - the article document's Tim's battle with the illness and with the systems of care that failed him. Please check out these links: Health Affairs article Our Health Policy Matters blog 00:33:00Keep the Promise Radionoconnecticut,mental health,mental illness,special education,psychiatryBefore becoming a passionate advocate for people with mental illness, Paul Gionfriddo was the mayor of Middletown, CT, and a state legislator in Connecticut.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/08/27/back-to-school-episode-special-education-advocacyYouthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/08/27/back-to-school-episode-special-education-advocacy/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/08/27/back-to-school-episode-special-education-advocacyMon, 27 Aug 2012 17:00:00 GMTSpecial Ed in CT: Using Collaboration to Support Students A TIMELY BACK-TO-SCHOOL EPISODE! We interview Nancy Prescott, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC).  In this fascinating discussion, Ms. Prescott gives families and clinicians practical advice for collaborating with schools in search of supports for students with disabilities. 00:38:00Keep the Promise Radionospecial education,advocacy,Connecticut,parents,disabilitiesA TIMELY BACK-TO-SCHOOL EPISODE! We interview Nancy Prescott, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC).  In this fascinating dihttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/08/14/gaps-affecting-ct-kids-education-and-mental-healthYouthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/08/14/gaps-affecting-ct-kids-education-and-mental-health/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/08/14/gaps-affecting-ct-kids-education-and-mental-healthTue, 14 Aug 2012 19:00:00 GMTEducation and Mental Health Gaps in Connecticut Elaine Zimmerman is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Commission on Children, and a member of the Achievement Gap Task Force.   The Commission takes an "entrepreneurial" approach to supporting the well-being of Connecticut's children, and has spent a lot of energy looking to help parents achieve self-empowerment in local civics and politics.  Ms. Zimmerman helps us understand what we can do to ensure that mental health issues are considered in the work of the Achievement Gap Task Force.     00:32:00Keep the Promise Radionoachievement gap,mental health,advocacy,education,ConnecticutElaine Zimmerman is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Commission on Children, and a member of the Achievement Gap Task Force.   The Commission takes ahttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/07/31/how-to-access-supports-for-connecticut-familiesYouthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/07/31/how-to-access-supports-for-connecticut-families/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/07/31/how-to-access-supports-for-connecticut-familiesTue, 31 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMTFamily-Informed Care and Advocacy in Connecticut Hal Gibber is the Executive Director of FAVOR, a non-profit dedicated to supporting Connecticut families with children who are struggling with emotional-behavioral problems.  Hal is also a leading child mental health advocate in our state, sitting on the Behavioral Health Partnership Quality Assurance Committee and on DCF's Continuum of Care Committee. We will discuss issues focused on family-informed care, advocacy, and systems design.  What are some practical ways to access supports for Connecticut families?  How is Hal taking a family-centered approach to his work at a state level? 00:37:00Keep the Promise Radionofamily,mental health,advocacy,special education,ConnecticutHal Gibber is the Executive Director of FAVOR, a non-profit dedicated to supporting Connecticut families with children who are struggling with emotional-behavihttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/07/13/ucan-is-giving-ct-residents-a-voice-at-dssHealthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/07/13/ucan-is-giving-ct-residents-a-voice-at-dss/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/07/13/ucan-is-giving-ct-residents-a-voice-at-dssFri, 13 Jul 2012 15:00:00 GMTIs DSS Failing Connecticut's Most Vulnerable Citizens? According to Sarahi Almonte, Community Organizer at United Connecticut Action for Neighborhoods, or UCAN, the Department of Social Services is doing a poor job of providing services and supports to our most vulnerable residents. Due to an administrative error at DSS, about 20,000 residents were left without key services (medical, social supports) in June. Did you know that Connecticut's DSS has been sued because of its poor performance? Listen to this interview to learn more, and to hear how it's affecting our residents with mental health problems in particular. UCAN is planning a rally on Tuesday, July 17, at 8:30am at DSS, 25 Sigourney Street, Hartford, CT. 00:27:00Keep the Promise Radionodss,connecticut,advocacy,mental health,medicaidAccording to Sarahi Almonte, Community Organizer at United Connecticut Action for Neighborhoods, or UCAN, the Department of Social Services is doing a poor jobhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/07/10/raising-the-age-juvenile-justice-and-mental-healthYouthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/07/10/raising-the-age-juvenile-justice-and-mental-health/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/07/10/raising-the-age-juvenile-justice-and-mental-healthTue, 10 Jul 2012 17:30:00 GMTRaising the Age in CT: Juvenile Justice and Mental Health This is a wonderfully informative interview with Abby Anderson, the Executive Director of the CT Juvenile Justice Alliance.  She is also Co-Chair of the Children'sCommittee of the Keep the Promise Coalition.  Here are some of the questions addressed in our interview: What is "Raise the Age"?  How will it impact CT? How are mental health and juvenile justice issues related? What are LIST meetings? What are juvenile review boards? What are some effective advocacy strategies?00:31:00Keep the Promise Radionojuvenile justice,connecticut,mental health,child and adolescent,raise the ageThis is a wonderfully informative interview with Abby Anderson, the Executive Director of the CT Juvenile Justice Alliance.  She is also Co-Chair of the Childrhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/06/27/mental-health-needs-in-stamford-public-schoolsYouthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/06/27/mental-health-needs-in-stamford-public-schools/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/06/27/mental-health-needs-in-stamford-public-schoolsWed, 27 Jun 2012 17:00:00 GMTSchool-Based Mental Health in Stamford, CT This is an in-depth look at the need for increased mental health supports for students in pre-K to grade 12 in Stamford, CT.  We speak with Joe O'Callaghan, the Director of Social Work for Stamford Public Schools, who is also emerging as a champion for better serving his students across the entire district and in the community. 00:37:00Keep the Promise Radionomental health,school,systems of care,health,accessThis is an in-depth look at the need for increased mental health supports for students in pre-K to grade 12 in Stamford, CT.  We speak with Joe O'Callaghan, thttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/06/13/the-growing-adolescent-drug-abuse-crisisYouthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/06/13/the-growing-adolescent-drug-abuse-crisis/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/06/13/the-growing-adolescent-drug-abuse-crisisWed, 13 Jun 2012 15:00:00 GMTAdolescents and Substance Abuse in Connecticut Liz Jorgensen is a certified alcohol and drug counselor with over 26 years experience treating adolescents with substance use disorders in Connecticut.  She is the Director of Insight Counseling in Ridgefield, CT, and was recently interviewed for a New York Times article that was published on June 9, 2012.  The article is titled "Risky Rise of the Good-Grade Pill". In our interview, we discuss the Times article and highlight some of the challenges families and adolescents face in accessing treatment for substance use disorders. This episode is also timely because the Connecticut Department of Public Health released the results of the School Health Survey and Youth Risk Behavior Report on June 8, 2012. We highlight the role of the Office of the Healthcare Advocate in helping children, adolescents, and families access the care and supports they need and deserve.  According to Jorgensen, private insurers too often deny coverage for inpatient treatment to adolescents physiologically dependent on painkillers. 00:39:00Keep the Promise Radionodrugs,substance abuse,Connecticut,rehab,stimulantsLiz Jorgensen is a certified alcohol and drug counselor with over 26 years experience treating adolescents with substance use disorders in Connecticut.  She ishttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/06/06/connecticuts-emergency-mobile-psychiatric-servicesYouthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/06/06/connecticuts-emergency-mobile-psychiatric-services/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/06/06/connecticuts-emergency-mobile-psychiatric-servicesWed, 06 Jun 2012 18:00:00 GMTConnecticut's Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services According to several well-placed sources in Connecticut's mental health system, the volume of calls for emergency psychiatric services for children and adolescents has surged in the last 6 months.  What is happening?  What can we do about it? We will discuss a unique intervention, Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS), with its Director, Tim Marshall, LCSW, and with Jeff Vanderploeg, PhD, the Associate Director of the Connecticut Center for Effective Practice.  Dr. Vanderploeg is responsible for collecting and analyzing outcomes data on EMPS. 00:30:00Keep the Promise Radionomental health,connecticut,children and adolescents,emps,systems of careAccording to several well-placed sources in Connecticut's mental health system, the volume of calls for emergency psychiatric services for children and adoleschttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/05/31/mental-health-parity-in-connecticut-the-role-of-the-ohaYouthhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/05/31/mental-health-parity-in-connecticut-the-role-of-the-oha/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/keepthepromise/2012/05/31/mental-health-parity-in-connecticut-the-role-of-the-ohaThu, 31 May 2012 18:00:00 GMTOctober 3, 2012 Marks 4 Yrs of Mental Health Parity LawThis week marks the 4-year anniversary of the signing of the mental health parity law on October 3, 2008. The Connecticut Office of the Healthcare Advocate is hosting an important hearing on mental health parity in a few weeks.  On October 17, from 10am to 4pm at the Legislative Office Building, patients and families will have an opportunity to be heard. We encourage anyone who has been affected by private insurance denials for mental health problems to testify!  You can call NAMI of CT at 860-882-0236 for more information. 00:31:00Keep the Promise Radionomental health,child psychiatry,parity,advocacy,public policyThis week marks the 4-year anniversary of the signing of the mental health parity law on October 3, 2008. The Connecticut Office of the Healthcare Advocate is h